BLOGS:

FOR THERAPISTS BY THERAPISTS

 

Image of writing blogs on a computer
6 min read

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Brynne Angelle, LCSW, PMH-C: Sep 17, 2025

In a world where the phrase "you are being a narcissist" has become commonplace, I want to be clear that while some people may demonstrate features of narcissism, a narcissist demonstrates persistent features and multiple symptoms. Please use this information to determine the...
5 min read

The Monkey with the Stick: On AI, Mental Health, & Our Evolving Tools

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Jul 26, 2025

My Relationship with AI: A Tool That Grows with Me Let me begin with a confession: I use AI every day. This is not a theoretical endorsement-I am the monkey with the stick, fishing ants from a log, using this tool not because it’s perfect, but because it works. It’s simple,...
4 min read

Navigating OCD and PTSD: Best Practices in Treatment

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Jul 20, 2025

When Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) intersect, clinicians often find themselves navigating a clinical landscape that demands both precision and compassion. Both disorders are fear-based, yet they express themselves through different...
5 min read

Understanding Complex OCD Cases: Dual Diagnoses and Barriers

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Jul 19, 2025

OCD is rarely straightforward. It doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and in many cases, it shows up tangled in a web of other diagnoses-each influencing, masking, or amplifying the core symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you've ever worked with clients who seem resistant to ERP,...
5 min read

Discomfort in the Therapy Room: A Conversation Between Clinicians

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP, Whitney Storey, MS, LPC, ASDCS, KD Holmes, MS, LPC, EMDR Certified, BTTI trained: Jul 12, 2025

What Do We Mean by Discomfort in Therapy? Monet: This conversation started in one of our previous talks about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)-how it works by intentionally walking clients toward discomfort rather than away from it. It got us thinking: discomfort isn’t just...
5 min read

Narcissistic Abuse: Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts

Marielle Babb, MS, LPC: Jul 11, 2025

The phrase “death by a thousand paper cuts” often surfaces in client narratives about narcissistic abuse-and for good reason. As clinicians, we know that psychological trauma doesn’t always arrive with bruises or shouting matches. Sometimes it shows up quietly: through eye rolls,...
9 min read

Toward a More Affirming Mental Health Practice

Whitney Storey, MS, LPC, ASDCS: Jun 20, 2025

As mental health therapists, we are trained to understand and address distress and to help our clients navigate their inner worlds and external challenges. But how often do we truly pause to examine the foundational lenses through which we view "health," "function," and...
7 min read

Navigating Shame as a Narcissist: A Deep Dive into the Unseen Struggle

Brynne Angelle, LCSW, PMH-C: Jun 5, 2025

The Hidden Weight of Shame Shame is a complex and often misunderstood emotion, particularly for individuals with narcissistic traits or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Contrary to the stereotype of the shameless narcissist—arrogant, untouchable, and self-absorbed—the...
7 min read

Riding the Waves of ERP: When Therapy is the Storm

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: May 30, 2025

There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over the room when a client understands ERP and agrees to an exposure for the first time. It’s not the kind of quiet that soothes-it’s the kind that signals emotional risk. And in ERP, this kind of tension marks the start of change....
4 min read

Women's History Month with the KDH Collective

KDH Collective: Mar 11, 2025

It's a striking truth: women are both the primary consumers of mental health services and the backbone of the mental health profession. Here at KDH Collective, much like the broader landscape of therapy, we're a team predominantly comprised of women. As we dive in to Women's...
5 min read

Understanding OCD Subtypes: A Guide for Therapists

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Jan 26, 2025

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) presents itself in nuanced, multifaceted ways. Subtypes of OCD can be conceptualized based on the nature of a client’s obsessions and compulsions (repetitive behaviors). Although every individual’s experience is shaped by their context, emotions,...
6 min read

New Year, New Us?

KDH Collective: Jan 14, 2025

2025 is here - it's a time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and – let's be honest – a little bit of dreaming. As clinicians, we're constantly evolving, and we're excited to share our individual goals and aspirations for this year. What are we learning? How are we growing? And most...
5 min read

Equity in the Margins

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: Jan 9, 2025

For the oldest profession known to man, sex work remains a contentious career choice for those who engage in it. These days, sex work is more prevalent than ever before in part due to the accessibility of the internet and the minimal costs associated with the software and hardware...
9 min read

ASD SPD ADHD & Dissociation: Contributor Co-Occurrence or Misdiagnosis

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Nov 14, 2024

Exploring the complexities of mental health, the threads of neurodivergence and dissociation weave together in intricate patterns. For therapists, differentiating symptoms is difficult and takes time to learn. We are training our minds to observe symptom clusters. This exploration...
3 min read

Neurodivergent November with KDH Collective

KDH Collective: Nov 13, 2024

The beauty of being the KDH Collective, a group of neurodivergent clinicians and scholars, is that we have the unique ability to and intense passion for learning more about our own neurotypes and the neurotypes of our clients. We have been affectionately referring to November as...
6 min read

OCD vs. Anxiety Disorders: Key Differences for Therapists

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Oct 8, 2024

For therapists, grasping the nuanced distinctions between OCD and other anxiety disorders is vital for accurate diagnosis, leading to the most effective treatment and swift relief. This precision can significantly shorten the challenges many individuals endure before discovering...
5 min read

The Complex Terrain of Suicide and Depression in Therapy

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Sep 4, 2024

In the world of mental health, the roles of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are not just essential, but pivotal in guiding individuals through the complexities of their mental health challenges. As frontline professionals, we...
6 min read

Confronting Suicide: An Exploration of Therapist's Fear

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Sep 4, 2024

In the hushed confines of therapy rooms, where whispered truths echo and one's inner world unfolds, therapists often find themselves facing an unspoken adversary—fear. It's a fear that grips tightly, yet therapists may hold back on discussing this in professional circles. This post...
11 min read

The Significance of Ethics for Mental Health Professionals

Jessi LaSalle, MS, LPC: Jul 18, 2024

Exploring the critical role that ethics play in the field of mental health and the impact it has on both professionals and their clients. For the sake of this blog, we will be referencing the American Counseling Association's (ACA) Code of Ethics. Understanding the Concept and...
11 min read

Autism, Addiction, and Disordered Eating (OH MY!)

Whitney Storey, MS, LPC, ASDCS: Jun 14, 2024

When consulting with mental and physical health clinicians, a disconnect exists between clinical expectations and the reality of comorbidity between Autism, substance use disorders (SUD), and disordered eating (DE). Research suggests that the risk of addiction is at least two-fold...
5 min read

Hurt people hurt people? When Good Therapists Cause Harm

Whitney Storey, MS, LPC, ASDCS: Jun 5, 2024

In working with a diverse range of helping professionals, including undergraduate psychology students, fellow counselors (and other mental health professionals), and law enforcement personnel, a common thread keeps showing up: many of us seek out these careers because of a deep...
7 min read

Clinical Insights into LGBTQ+ Counseling

Jessi LaSalle, MS, LPC: May 22, 2024

Discover clinical approaches and skills for effectively working with LGBTQ populations in therapy sessions. The importance of LGBTQ COMPETENCE in Mental Health Being a culturally competent mental health professional is crucial when working with LGBTQ populations. LGBTQ individuals...
5 min read

Trauma-Informed Therapy: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, Flop

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: May 15, 2024

Trauma-informed therapy explains the connection between the nervous system and mental health, offering a paradigm shift in treating mental health issues. By delving deep into how trauma affects the nervous system, therapists can provide effective, nuanced treatment for individuals...
5 min read

On Being a therapist's therapist

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: Apr 23, 2024

Here’s a question to consider—Are you a therapist’s therapist? Do you advocate for other therapists, and do you offer beneficence when the opportunity presents itself? An even better question to ponder--What do we owe each other when it comes to our professional identities and...
5 min read

Therapists and Transcare: An Interview with Zach Hebert, LPC, NCC, PhD

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: Mar 1, 2024

One of the greatest pleasures I have in life are the friendships I've made along the way in my journey to becoming a therapist. For the most part, Counselor Education graduate programs tend to be small in size to ensure optimal quality of its participants. From that comes the...
5 min read

The Dance of Therapy: Attunement, Undertreating and TIBs

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Dec 8, 2023

Therapy, at its essence, is like a dance-an ebb and flow of connection, rhythm, and responsiveness. This delicate dance thrives on attunement, the deeply intuitive process of building a therapeutic alliance with a client. But what happens when the dance introduces steps we hesitate...
3 min read

The Potential for Harm: Ethical Considerations in Counseling

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: Dec 5, 2023

As I continue to evolve in my professional identity, a lingering question has begun to consume my thoughts. Despite the extensive training and education that Counselor Education graduate students receive, along with the emphasis on ethical considerations and best practices, there...
4 min read

The Importance of Diversity in the Therapy Room

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Dec 2, 2023

I feel a sense of shame sharing intense emotions, so I keep them to myself. However, it is humanly impossible to avoid feeling. It is a natural part of being human, that is shaped by our personal histories, and provides a map of our desires. It's time to break my silence and...
4 min read

The Benefits and Challenges of Mental Health Consultation

KDH Collective: Nov 6, 2023

Consultation within the context of mental health is something every therapist should be familiar with and engage in--yet there is this anxious response that can sometimes be elicited from newer practitioners who may feel intimidated by the prospect of collaborating with other...
5 min read

UNDERSTANDING NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING THERAPY

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Sep 20, 2023

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy is emerging as a new approach to mental health care-one that flips the script on conventional therapy methods. Rather than viewing neurological differences through a lens of deficits or disorders, this approach celebrates and validates the diverse...
5 min read

Cults and Therapy - Ensuring Safety and Accountability

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Aug 25, 2023

Cults have a strange allure. Like many others, I find myself riveted by shows and documentaries that explore their dynamics. There is disbelief, fascination, and yes, even awe, woven into every scene-a visceral reaction to the extremes of human behavior. What drives individuals to...
2 min read

A LETTER TO MY FELLOW KDH TRAVELERS

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Aug 23, 2023

When I first entered this profession, I carried a constant sense of inadequacy. Who was I to sit in "the chair" and help others? This feeling drove me to seek countless trainings, but it took a toll on my mental health. My anxiety and perfectionism skyrocketed, and I found solace...
5 min read

Navigating Neurodivergence Trauma

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Jun 29, 2023

For therapists, trauma-informed care is of primary focus in our training and treatment. This approach, characterized by sensitivity to trauma and its effects, becomes especially critical when working with neurodivergent clients. Many individuals who are neurodivergent also grapple...
5 min read

Treating Developmental Trauma: Why Is It Important?

KD & Marielle: Jun 29, 2023

Trauma is a word that has been gaining more attention and importance in our society and in the therapy treatment world. We (therapists) all know what trauma is... an overwhelming psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that causes the brain to “push the...
2 min read

Navigating Gender Affirming Care and Trans Rights: An Ethical Guide

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: Jun 28, 2023

If you're a mental health professional, you probably took an oath to do no harm. But when it comes to working with transgender clients and navigating gender-affirming care, it can be tough to know what's ethical, what's not, and how to best support your clients' needs. You might...
2 min read

Serving the LGBT Population in Therapy

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: May 25, 2023

When working with clients from the LGBT community, it's important to remember your professional values and act ethically. This means following a code of conduct that respects each person's rights and treats everyone fairly. Being ethical when providing therapy to LGBT clients is an...
2 min read

Sex in the therapeutic setting

Monet David, MS, LPC, ADHD-CCSP: May 1, 2023

Sex related issues are sensitive topics that may be difficult for individuals to discuss. That is why it is important for therapists to possess the necessary competency and knowledge to address such issues in therapy. There is a distinction to be made, however, when presenting...
5 min read

Thinking Differently: Demystifying Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Apr 29, 2023

As therapists, we encounter a vast array of clients, each bringing their own histories, insights, and emotions into the therapeutic space. Our role often requires us to navigate these complexities with empathy and understanding. Yet, one vital aspect that frequently fades into the...
6 min read

ERP Therapy: Addressing OCD Misdiagnosis and Treatment

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Feb 21, 2023

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted obsessions and repetitive compulsions. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), obsessions refer to intrusive and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that cause...
4 min read

The Curse of Being a Therapist

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Feb 13, 2023

Most of us join this profession because we truly want to help. To be present with another's suffering and healing is such a powerful experience. There is so much meaning and purpose in what we do! But with all this meaning comes the other side of our job, the curse some might say,...
6 min read

What Kind of Therapist are You?

KD HOLMES, LPC, EMDR CERTIFIED, BTTI TRAINED: Sep 28, 2022

I love food and the joy of flavors- hot, sweet, sour, salty with temperatures warm and cold, while having different textures with each bite. There is so much in a good meal. Therapists are the same way. We each have our own flavor, temperature, and texture, which creates our way of...